New ideas may increase festival turnout

Buchanan Fest may bring back beer tent to boost attendance.

Buchanan Fest may bring back beer tent to boost attendance.

March 29, 2006|STAN MADDUX Tribune Correspondent

BUCHANAN -- Just when talk of a beer tent seemed all but forgotten, the long-standing source of controversy in Buchanan has fallen off the wagon. In a presentation Monday night before the city commission, Buchanan Chamber of Commerce president Alice Kring brought forth several new ideas for this year's Buchanan Fest to generate higher turnout, including a beer tent. Kring said she's received many inquiries from the public who support having a beer tent for the festival held traditionally the weekend before Labor Day. The event organized by the chamber is scheduled this year from Aug. 25 to 27. "I've been told you're never going to have a great festival unless you have it,'' said Kring. Commissioner Marlon McGuire motioned to grant the chamber of commerce permission to start making plans for a beer tent. Under McGuire's motion, final approval would hinge on several factors including the group chosen to run the beer tent and restrictions to make sure it's run in an orderly fashion. "We need to try it with restraints and guidelines,'' said McGuire. Commissioner Dave Hagey was firm in expressing his opposition to the idea, recalling how past beer tents attracted large crowds from outside Buchanan who left the city a mess after "raising hell.'' Hagey said the focus of Buchanan Fest should remain on families and despite some reports, the event has grown the past few years without the presence of alcohol. He also said the festival generates extra business for local restaurants and bars who might be hurt at the cash register from being in competition with a beer tent. "If we want people to bring families downtown, we don't need a beer tent. I think we've gotten over that and we don't need to go back,'' said Hagey. With commissioner Pat Moore absent, the vote was 2 to 2 killing the motion for a beer tent, at least for now. The idea could resurface in the coming weeks once more information is obtained to address some of the concerns, Kring said. The commissioners seemed more receptive to another idea brought forward by Kring to have fireworks at Buchanan Fest. Kring said efforts are being made to find a sponsor for the fireworks, which she estimated would cost about $2,500. The fireworks would be lit in a former Clark Equipment site on East Third Street, which is now a brownfield area behind City Hall, providing a spectacular view from the Common area, she said. Kring said she'll continue to work on finding a sponsor for the fireworks and report back to the commissioners for a possible vote.